Vicia amurensis
Oett.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Игорь Поспелов, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Игорь Поспелов, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Dmitrii Mostovoi, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
A robust perennial vetch reaching 1.5 m in height with self-fertile, hermaphrodite flowers. Blooms June through August with seeds ripening August to September. Insect-pollinated and nitrogen-fixing. Grows in light, medium, and heavy soils, preferring good drainage and mildly acid to basic pH. Establishes well in semi-shade or full sun with consistent soil moisture.
Description
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be climbing. It grows 50-100 cm tall. The leaves are 5-15 cm long and have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-6 pairs of leaflets. They are oval and 16-30 mm long by 9-16 mm wide. The flowers are bleu to purple but occasionally white. The pod is oblong and 15-25 mm long. There are 1-5 seeds.
Edible Uses
Young leaves can be cooked and eaten.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Known Hazards
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. In north China it grows on hill slopes and grasslands between 400-800 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation
Pre-soak seed for 24 hours in warm water, then sow in situ in spring or autumn. The plant can also be propagated by division in spring.
Other Uses
None known
Notes
There are about 140 Vicia species. They are mostly temperate.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Amaryn gish, Goroshek amurski, Nohara kusa fuji
References (5)
- ILDIS Legumes of the World http:www:ildis.org/Legume/Web
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Sokolov, P. D., 1987, Rastitelnye resursy SSR (Vol. 4) Leningrad. (Russia)
- Trudy Bot. Sada Imp. Jur'evsk. Univ. 6:143. 1906
- Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 121-143).
